Alexander Skarsgard’s “13″ Cancelled at SXSW Film Festival
March 17, 2010
Alexander Skarsgard’s film “13” was to premier at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX at midnight on March 13,201 at the Alamo South Lamar Theater as part of the SX Fantastic program, but unfortunately it has been cancelled. Skarsgardnews.com confirms the cancellation stating that it was pulled because of editing and that the filmmaker had a new cut.
Gela Babluani’s remake of his 2005 French film, “13 Tzameti” also stars Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, and Ben Gazzara. The film is about a naive young man who assumes a dead man’s identity and finds himself embroiled in an underground world of power, violence, and chance where men gamble behind closed doors on the lives of other men.
SOURCES:
(Photo credit: Barbarian Films)
Alexander Skarsgard Spills Specifics to Swedish Magazine
March 15, 2010
Swedish magazine “Onyanserat” got down to specifics with Alexander Skarsgard — True Blood’s Eric Northman — in a recent interview translated by AlexSkarsgard.net.
In the interview, Alexander describes a typical day in his life, his favorite things, and ideas for an Eric-centric spin-off of True Blood.
Alexander said he’s busy shooting True Blood Season 3 this spring, and his off-screen schedule is pretty tame.
“I get up, drink my tea, read “DN” (Swedish newspaper) on the net, go to work, come home, have dinner and go over next day scenes.”
When asked if he would consider doing a True Blood spin-off focused on his character, Alexander called the idea “brilliant.” He event suggested a possible plot for the series (though from the looks of it, he’s being facetious).
“I think Eric the Viking King would be a brilliant sitcom. Probably set in a high school environment. Kind of like an updated version of Fresh Prince.”
Alexander confessed that he doesn’t get a lot of job offers from his home county, Sweden. He has worked on Swedish movie sets in the past though, and he said the main difference from American sets is that “the hierarchy is more evident” in the states. He also said that for $10 million he would play himself in a movie.
He also answered some quickie questions about a few of his favorite things. Here are his answers:
Movie: “A Prophet” (Oscar nominated French film released in 2009)
Actor: “Jeff Bridges did deserve winning that Oscar this year.”
Director: “Would love to work with the Cohen brothers”
Line: “They pissed on my fucking rug.” ( The Big Lebowski)
Tagline: “When you deal a fast shuffle, love is in the cards.” (The Lady Eve)
TV: “The Colbert Report”
TV host: “Bill Moyers”
Most underrated actor of all times? “Woody Harrelson”
Source: www.alexskarsgard.net
Photo credit: HBO Inc.
Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Alexander Skarsgård in the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival
March 12, 2010
The Tribeca Film Festival, one of the most prominent film festivals in the world, will be showcasing two films starring some of our favorite True Blood cast members during the festival’s run from April 21 – May 2, 2010. Alexander Skarsgård, Anna Paquin, and Stephen Moyer will all be displaying their talents in two different feature-length narratives.
Alexander Skarsgård, and his father, Stellan Skarsgård, appear alongside Vincent Gallo, Juliette Lewis, and Udo Kier in Metropia. Metropia is a full-length animated film in the festival’s Feature Narrative category. Directed by Tarik Saleh, Metropia is set in the year 2024 where all of Europe is connected by an intricate web of underground railways, populated by the hardworking and downtrodden. The story unfolds when one of the worker bees begins to hear voices which unravels into a vast conspiracy with the aide of a femme fatale shampoo model. The visually exciting film is sure to be a hit with such an interesting story and stellar cast!
More True Blood stars will be included in this year’s festival, with Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer starring alongside one another in Open House. Written and directed by Anna’s brother, Andrew Paquin, the story depicts the torrid relationship between David (played by Brian Geraghty) and his “sexually predatory partner” Lila. The film illuminates David’s existence when a would-be victim becomes his chance at salvation. Open House will be included in Tribeca’s World Narrative Competition, which is an international film collection showcasing first- and second-time directors from eight different countries. For a more detailed description of Open House, visit Taylor Usry’s article “Open House Movie with Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer” on TrueBloodNet.Com.
The Tribeca Film Festival is known for showcasing an international array of film, animation, documentary, and art and this year’s festival is already proving to be exciting for fans over a spectrum of mediums. Good luck to Metropia and Open House!
(Photo credit: HBO Inc. via eonline.com)
Alexander Skarsgard Conquered Childhood Fear of Fame
March 9, 2010
It is hard to imagine Alexander Skarsgard being afraid of anything, but the actor who plays True Blood’s Viking vampire Eric Northman said he was frightened by fame as a child.
In an interview posted on UK Web site What’s On TV, Alexander said the public recognition he earned from early TV roles was too much for his young self.
“My parents never dragged me to auditions, things just happened. I had lots of TV roles when I was a kid, but the fame was scary and I hated people staring at me on the street. When I was 13 I decided I didn’t want to do it anymore.”
The son of Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard (“Pirates of the Caribbean“) moved to Leeds for six months when he was 20. After spending time “watching football, hanging out, getting drunk and into trouble,” he decided to give acting another chance.
These days, he’s more at ease with fame and the attention that goes with it.
“Actually, I am flattered by the attention. People come up and want autographs and take pictures, but I have no crazy stalkers after me.”
Alexander said he enjoys playing Eric, a complicated character with more depth than a typical leading man. Eric may be the bad guy, but there’s more to him than meets the eye, Alexander said.
“As an actor, the last thing I want to play is a typical handsome leading man. It’s always great when you play a complicated character like Eric. In the first series, people thought he was just a bad guy, but there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye. We’re now seeing his loyal, caring and sensitive side. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still the same old Eric – there’s just more to him than being an evil vampire.”
Alexander describes True Blood as an “over-the-top, wild, sexy and funny” show that also allows viewers to “draw parallels with our society in terms of alienation and prejudice.” He said he doesn’t have a problem portraying the show’s sex and violence, even when it requires him to show some skin.
“It’s pretty full-on and very graphic and gory, but sex and violence are always something that attracts an audience. I don’t have any problems with getting naked.”
He also commented on his stint as a pop music video star, opposite Lady Gaga in the video for “Paparazzi,” and his secret desire to be a rock star.
“I didn’t know Lady Gaga at all before. She was really cool and interesting. She’s very driven and we had a blast. I’d much rather be a rock star than an actor. My favorites are Van Morrison and The Clash. Because I’m Swedish, people think I must like ABBA, but they were always much bigger in the rest of the world than they ever were in Sweden.”
That’s just as well — picturing Eric Northman grooving to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” might prove a bit much for his fans.
SOURCE: What’s On TV
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
Alexander Skarsgard Talks About Fame, Celebrity, and Not “Going Hollywood”
March 6, 2010
Alexander Skarsgård, who plays vampire sheriff Eric Northman, is definitely not the type of celebrity we’re use to in America. No entourages, no outrageous on-set demands, no tabloid exploits… no “going Hollywood”. Alexander sat down with Leslie Gornstein from the LA Times Magazine at a recent photo shoot to discuss his childhood acting career, his “Skarsgårdians“, and how he keeps a level head about his growing fame.
Alexander is the son of a Swedish actor, Stellan Skarsgård, and began acting as a child. At the age of 13, he grew uncomfortable with being recognized and written about.
It can be really, really tough being a child actor. A lot of them have huge problems growing up. I didn’t like being famous when I was 13. I didn’t like people recognizing me.
After telling his parents that he no longer felt comfortable being an actor, his father told him that he “only become an actor if you feel like you don’t have a choice” and at the age of 13, Alexander quit. It wasn’t until he was 20 that he returned to acting.
I missed it—being onstage or in front of a camera. I thought, All right, I’m 20 now instead of 13. Maybe I’m a little different from how I was seven years ago, and I owe it to myself to try it now, and at least I can dismiss it if I’m still not comfortable. I will know for sure, and I can move on. But it was just like my father said: I felt like I didn’t have an option.
Now at the age of 33, Alexander has become a sexual icon- 6′4″, striking features, and muscular body, he is constantly recognized, written about, and idolized. With a multitude of fan sites, Alexander has found that he is no longer uncomfortable with this attention, but flattered.
So, how does one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors remain sane while also not “going Hollywood”? By doing things the way he’s always done them: going to the movies alone, parking his own car, and volunteering to help his crew members.
I’m not a “Hollywood” actor. I am a social guy, but I’m not one of those actors who will show up to a shoot with 15 agents and managers and publicists. An entourage like that just makes me uncomfortable.
While flattered by all the attention he is getting from fans he admits that in order to stay sane he stays away from fan sites, blogs and Twitter. Which to answer everyone’s question: Alex is NOT on Twitter. So that person who says they are Alex on Twitter is a fake! While Alexander’s character, Eric Northman, may ride the line between good and evil, Alexander proves to remain levelheaded during his rise to fame.
Check out Alex’s amazing photo shoot in LATimes Magazine here.
SOURCE: LATimes Magazine
(Photo credit: HBO)
VIDEO: Alexander Skarsgrad Interview With LATimes Magazine
March 6, 2010
True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgard did a photo shoot for LATimes Magazine which is set to come out this Sunday and took time out of his busy schedule to conducted a video interview. In the video Alexander talks about how he got into acting and how when he was 13 how the fame that he received made him feel quite uncomfortable and how he stopped acting at that time. At 20, he realized he missed acting and said to himself if it made him feel uncomfortable he wouldn’t bother pursuing it but immediately discovered that he in fact did miss acting.
Alex goes on to explain when he got involved with True Blood and knew the books had a big following but didn’t expect it to be as big as it is.
A wonderful video with Alex that you will definitely enjoy!
Click here to view the video interview.
(Photo credit: tvfanatic.com)
VIDEO: Alexander Skarsgard Talks About Metropia
March 5, 2010
In this video interview, film director Tarik Saleh asks Alexander Skarsgard if he can relate to the insecurities of the character he plays in Tarik’s animated Swedish-made science fiction film Metropia. According to Alex, insecurity is always there and there are different ways to deal with it. He has his own insecurities and the way he deals with it is by trying to be funny. He said he has to be able to relate to the different feelings and the different situations they’re in. Otherwise, his performance would not be truthful and honest in those scenes.
Noting that Alex‘ character, Stephan, is extremely paranoid, always feeling as if he’s being watched, Tarik asked if Alex ever feels that paranoia, as if someone is watching over him. I would have been very surprised if Alexander replied no to this question.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I’m flying to London tomorrow and I think they have like 50,000 TV cameras in London. So, yeah. We’re being watched.”
While recognizing the reality that he’s being watched as soon as he steps outside his safety nest, on the subway or a bus, Alex said the most uncomfortable situation would be what Tarik did in the film. ”Actually monitor people through the television set is, you know, pretty creepy.”
Tarik: If you could, in real life, be inside of someone’s head – just for a day – who would you choose?
Alex: ”Alexander Skarsgard I would say. I don’t understand what’s going on inside here at times.”
SOURCE: AlexSkarsgard.net
Alexander Skarsgard Film “13″ Featured at SXSW
March 5, 2010
The world premiere of Alexander Skarsgard’s new movie, 13, will take place in Austin, TX, at the SXSW Film Festival, which is running from March 12-21, 2010.
Each year, South by Southwest offers a unique setting for discovering original music, independent films, and new technologies.
Alex’s film that will be showcased at the event comes from international director Gela Babluani in a remake of his 2005 French film 13 Tzameti. The thriller also stars Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, and Ben Gazzara, with the story following a character named Vince “who unwittingly becomes involved in a degenerate, clandestine world of mental chaos behind closed doors.”
The film will be screened at midnight on March 13 at the Alamo South Lamar Theater as part of the SX Fantastic program, which will be featuring five international genre films.
No wide release date has been set at this point, but hopefully it will be opening in more US theaters so we will have a chance to see Alex in this film! For those who are interested in attending SXSW, check out details on the website.
SOURCE: hollywoodreporter.com
(Photo credit: Barbarian Films)
VIDEO: Alexander Skarsgard Talks About His New Found Fame
March 2, 2010
Alexander Skarsgard sat down with Showbiz 411 on ITN and discusses how he is dealing with his new found fame as a result of his portrayal of vampire Eric Northman in Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV series True Blood. Alex does mention in the video that people have come up to him and have asked him to bite them in the U.S. but not in the UK. The main reason he feels is that many people still don’t recognize him in the UK due to his long wig in season one and he was only in a few episodes. When asked how he feels to be a sex symbol he says he is flattered, however that is not his goal when choosing roles. He goes into detail regarding this as you will see in the video. A very interesting interview that provides some insight into Alex.
VIDEO: Alexander Skarsgard Talks About Eric Northman
March 2, 2010
Alexander Skarsgard sat down with Showbiz 411 on ITN to discuss the changes we see in his character, the 1,000 year-old vampire Eric Northman in Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV series True Blood. Discussing the shift in his character from season one to season two the audience discovers that there is more to Eric then the businessman and club owner of Fangtasia. In the video Alex tries to clear some misconceptions about his character and presents another side of him.
